ORANGE PARK – In the only contested contest for a seat on the town council, CPA Doug Benefield defeated longtime town resident and U.S. Air Force veteran Kenny Radwanski during Clay County’s Municipal Super Tuesday to retain the District 1 seat.

Benefield was appointed last August following the resignation of Councilman Eddie Henley.

Benefield received 67%, or 336 votes, to Radwanski’s 33% (164 votes).

Before being appointed to council, Benefield answered the call to volunteer on the town’s Budget and Finance Committee, along with the Police Pension Board.

Some themes Benefield ran on included not raising taxes, particularly the elderly in the community, and keeping the community safe.

“We need to join together as a town to keep our taxes from rising so that our residents, especially our elderly, will not be priced out of homes that they have lived in throughout their lives. We need to keep our roads, streets, parks and river safe for families of all incomes to enjoy,’ he said.

Benefield will seek to press forward with plans that he has already set in motion during a brief first term, such as his proposed neighborhood “budget friendly control devices” on various cut-throughs such as Plainfield, River Road., Holly Point, Bellair and Debarry, a device the councilman said he believes would encourage non-resident motorists to slow down on those streets and encourage non-residential traffic to avoid while passing through the town.

His new full term will begin May 16 and last for three years.

Benefield told Clay Today he feels great about a well-ran campaign.

“It was a good campaign focusing on important things that I think this community cares about. Keeping taxes low is something I believe resonated with voters,” Benefield said.

The councilman is also excited to serve the town he grew up in.

“We’re excited. I grew up here, so it only makes sense,” he said.

Benefield’s opponent had still yet to concede the election after 9 p.m.

“Still didn’t receive the final votes yet from today’s election. Whether I win or lose the Seat 1 election, I am and will be here for all of the residents, all the time, every day. I will still be attending all town meetings and all town concerns. We residents are the town government’s checks and balances, all the time,” Radwanski said in a text.